Interviews of candidates for position of Councillor at Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA); Committee Programme

Meeting report

Welcome
The Chairperson welcomed Members as well as a parliamentary delegation from Zimbabwe who were visiting Parliament to observe and share experiences with their South African counterparts.

First-Term Committee Programme 2011
The Chairperson informed Members that there were several outstanding issues from the previous year that had been carried over and included in the 2011 programme. Those outstanding issues were congesting the programme and needed to be dealt with as a matter of urgency.

Ms N Michael (DA) asked how it was possible for the Committee to have a meeting twice on the same day when there was a plenary sitting also scheduled for that day.

The Chairperson replied that the parliamentary programme made space for a committee week and a plenary week, and in the case of the former the Committee could meet twice a day.

Mr N Van Den Berg (DA) asked why there was so much delay for the formal deliberations on the SABC Interviews. In terms of the programme, this had been shifted to 01 March 2011.

The Chairperson replied that the ICASA interviews had been brought forward because the position would be a fulltime one and nominated candidates would have to tender notices to their employers. This was necessary because the term of office of the departing councillor would expire at the end of March 2011

The Committee adopted the programme.

Interviews
Candidates were asked the following questions:

•The nominees were asked to give a brief description of their background (who they were and what they had achieved) in relation to the job they were applying for.
•Candidates were asked to elaborate about their current employment.
•Candidates were asked to elaborate on their qualifications and previous experience in relation to the position they were applying for.
They were asked how they would deal with the challenges faced by ICASA.
•Candidates were asked if they had any business or financial interests in the communications industry.
•They were asked about the biggest mistakes made by the Board and what they thought they would do to fix those mistakes.
•They were also asked how they would transform ICASA.
•They were asked to elaborate on their expertise, and what contributions and value they would bring to ICASA.
•They were asked to explain what difference they would make to ICASA.
•Candidates were also asked whether they would commit themselves full-time to ICASA.
•Candidates were asked to elaborate on their characteristics, whether they would be able to deliver on their mandate without outside or political pressure.
•Candidates were asked to explain how they viewed the different roles between the Council, Management and Government. They were also asked how they would manage conflicts between the different entities.
•They were asked if the current structure of ICASA was necessary or not. They were also asked to point out what role they would play in the current structure of ICASA.
•Candidates were asked to elaborate on their understanding of the independence of ICASA.
•They were asked to explain the areas they would focus on if they were to be appointed to the ICASA Council.
•Candidates were asked to elaborate whether they had any problems with policy formulation in terms of implementation between ICASA and the Executive.
•They were asked who was responsible for policy implementation at ICASA.
•They were also asked if the Budget of ICASA was enough in terms of its mandate.
•Candidates were asked to explain what (if any) role ICASA would play to close the gap in the digital divide.
•Candidates were asked how they would handle the cut and paste or chop and change of leadership at ICASA and how it would affect the effectiveness of that organisation.
•They were also asked how they would handle the question of spectrum at ICASA

Refer to audio recordings for further responses.

The meeting was adjourned.